Congratulations Yuni!

I want to thank Yuni for letting us enjoy this evening with her. The English Language Institute graduation was really nice. It was last night (Tues. July 29, 2008) at the University of Utah's Saltair Room. Yuni looked beautiful and we are all very proud of her. The following are pictures that Marc took of the event.

I'm sorry, Alisha!

Alisha commented that I forgot to mention her in my Music Blog. I am really sorry. I thought I had mentioned everyone.

I am blessed with a daughter that is not only beautiful, but sings like an Angel. She also plays the piano and the organ. She loves music and has followed my foot-steps by teaching piano. She even has more students.

From the moment she was born (as well as Ryan and Andrea)...music became a very important part of her life. I appreciate her willingness to share her talents. I'm very grateful for a musical family.

So Jason and Yuni won't feel bad. I am really glad that they both are musical and love it as much as we do.

***Side note: This is a picture of Alisha and Alexa (at a baby contest that I will post on a later date)

How Many Years?

We decided to do something different on Marc’s birthday and put all the candles together. As you can tell by the pictures….it could have been a big mistake. The flames went a lot higher than we ever would imagine. Good thing that Jason didn’t drop the plate and that Ryan was quick getting the pictures. It was truly amazing. A huge flame, but didn’t stop Marc from blowing it out.

Happy Birthday (in June) and I wonder what the flame will look like when you are 70?

I Love Music

One thing I really enjoy is listening to Andrea play the piano. I didn't realize how much I missed it until last Saturday when she came to visit and sat down and played. She sure knows how to make those "ivories" shine. It was great!

I’m very happy that my family loves music. Ryan’s playing in a band right now and they do a great job. I’m so happy to be able to support them and see their progress. I love the songs they write, but my favorite is the one about my Dad. I hope they will be able to keep it up and someday make a CD.

I love hearing my kids sing. They all have great voices and now I get the privilege of hearing my grandkids. In Wal-Mart, Jarem breaks into “I Love To See The Temple.” Boy did it tug on the heartstrings.

Yesterday I noticed that Marc had his guitar out. What a great way to relax and improve a talent. I enjoy watching him play.

I watch piano students as they accomplish music that they never thought they could play. It’s fun to see the “light” that comes into their eyes when they understand and enjoy their lessons.

How can we ever get tired of good music? It makes a movie scarier and puts commercials in your mind. It can help heal a broken heart or make us hyper and full of energy. It can soothe our spirits and make us feel closer to our Heavenly Father.

I am so grateful for music.

All You Need is Love!!

All you need is love TAG!

I think that everybody needs to feel like they are loved, so I am doing this tag I got from my friend.

Here are the rules:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! If we're only blogging friends, write about a post that is most memorable. If you don't have a blog and don't know how to sign in, please comment as anonymous.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you... either on your blog, in my comment box, or I will email you back!

3. If the memory happens to involve my husband, please include him!

4. If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all

☺ Okay, let's see what you've got!

Never a Dull Moment

This week was an eventful one. Marc had surgery on a 3-mm. Kidney stone and Andrea moved into her new home.

On Friday, July 11, 2008, Marc and I had plans to see Ryan in a performance with his band. They were playing in Salt Lake with other local bands. In the early afternoon, Marc called and told me that he had a kidney stone and would I please come and pick him up. He drives with a car pool and had not driven that day. I did and on the way home, his pain was so intense that I called our doctor and we went to his after hour’s office. He confirmed the kidney stone after a urine test and sent him home with painkillers in hopes he would pass it. Marc was so nauseated that he threw up many times. He drank a lot (which is what the doctor instructed), but by Monday things didn’t look any better. We then went in for a CT scans which show the size of the stone as well as where it was. He told us if he wasn’t better (by Weds.) to go to a specialist...Dr. Reynolds. I didn’t quite understand how we could just show up at a specialist, so I call Dr. Reynolds’s office Tuesday morning only to find out that he would be in surgery on Weds. and we would need to go in that morning. We went and Marc’s surgery was scheduled for 5:30 PM the next day (Weds.).

The next day Marc had his surgery. The kidney stone was larger than the opening and trying to get the hole bigger made it tear. The good news is that Dr. Reynolds was able to get the stone out. The bad news is how big the tear is and so the healing process will be longer than normal. Poor Marc! He has been in so much pain and discomfort. Yesterday I thought things were better…only to have him throw up again. He needs to go to work on Monday, but I don’t know how he will do it right now.

On Thursday, Andrea had made arrangements with Ryan and Jason to help her move her big things. I watched Alexa, while Alisha and Jarem helped also. It was really cute to watch Jarem, because he was really into helping. I appreciate all their help and I know Andrea does too. Her home is only about 1-½ miles from ours and she will be living with two of her best friends, Julie and Janel. It is a perfect size for them and I’m really happy for her. Friday, I had to help Andrea get things settled so she could sleep there. This meant that I was away from Marc most of the day. I felt so bad, but there was nothing I could do, but call and check on him.

In the meantime, I have been trying to catch up on well-needed sleep. That has been hard because Marc’s been having rough nights…but hopefully in time….I will get caught up. Yesterday (Sat.), Laree Petersen brought a casserole and yogurt and our two neighbors (Christianson and Volk) mowed our lawn. The Christianson's even brought goodies. I feel so blessed.

I missed Ryan’s concert, Andrea’s appointment, and two of Alexa’s appointment (oh…did I tell you that she got a spider bite?). I felt really bad, but did the best I could under the circumstances. The week has now ended and today marks the last time Andrea and I will do our calling in church together. I will miss her as well as my calling. I’ve been doing it for 10 years and so it will be a big adjustment, but it’s time. On to new adventures and hopefully getting more organized. Maybe even a bit more sleep!

Blog Award

I want to thank Annie for giving me a blog award! She definitely deserves one, in my opinion! I think she is one of the best bloggers that I know of. Thanks for thinking of me!

The winner of this award must follow a few rules:

#1 - You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award, whether for creativity, design, interesting material, and/or also contributes to the blogging community, no matter the language.

#2 - Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

#3 - Each winner has to show the award and put the name and link of the blogger who has given him or her the award.

#4 - The winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of Arte y pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.

#5 - The winner must show these rules. So the following 5 are the winners I have chosen, in no particular order:

Alisha

She's my daughter and tries to blog with two little kids that keep her very busy. She does a great job and deserves this award. She tells fun things (and not so fun things) that are happening in her life. I love the pictures and you can tell why I'm such a proud gramma.

Rye

If you ever want a good laugh, then read Rye's "A Family Legend" Blog. No matter what he writes about, it will keep your interest. His abilities are out-standing and deserving of this award. His wife also has a blog that is in Spanish. She too is very deserving of this award.

Anne B.

This is a dear friend who actually started blogging before me. She helped me to set up my account. You have to be invited to read her blog, but she has wonderful pictures & stories of her family. She is a real inspiration to me.

Serket

I don't know this young man, but I really enjoy reading his blogs. He writes about movies and books. He tells interesting facts. Some of his blogs are about his life...which I really like. I hope to meet him someday.

Jewels

She's a good friend of Annie's and is like a daughter to me. She writes about her dreams... which can be hilarious at times (like most dreams are). I can feel her excitement, disappointments, etc. in her writing style. I thank her for sharing her thoughts.

Now it's your turn! Make someone's day (specifically five other people) and give them this award. I suppose this is like one of those chain letters. But I can't promise that you'll find your true love in 5 days or that you'll receive a life changing phone call in 10. I can promise that it makes the recipient feel special...so, why not? Spread the love, people! And thank you for the enjoyment you've brought to myself and others!